The Gwich'in (also known as Kutchin) Indians live across Central and Eastern Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Their vocal music represents the more traditional way of experiencing music unaccompanied singing. Their instrumental music, especially played on the fiddle, reflects the influence of explorers, traders, and missionaries on musical tastes. The Gwich'in adopted not only the music that whites introduced but jigs, reels, and square dances. There are several instances as well of Gwich'in adapting Native dance forms to this Western style of music.
1 Song of the Snow Geese Flying Over the Mouth of the Yukon
2 Love Song
3 Love Song: Sheenjit Gwiizuu
4 Love Song: Goodbye Sheenyaa
5 Medicine Song: Shenyati's Owl Song
6 Medicine Song
7 Medicine Song
8 War Song
9 Crow Dance Song
10 Crow Dance Song
11 Song of Tribute
12 Song of Tribute
13 The Boy in the Moon
14 New Year's Song
15 Goodby Song
16 Steamboat Song
17 Red River Jig, Ch'eenatsii Ch'aradzaa
18 Duck Dance, Dats'an Ch'aradzaa
19 Brandy
20 Rabbit Dance, Ge Ch'aradzaa
21 Virginia Reel
22 Double Jig
23 Fox Trot
24 Eight Couple, Neekee Do
25 Square Dance, Second Part
26 Four Hand Reel, Lady's Earring Dance, Neets'ee T'yaa
The Gwich'in (also known as Kutchin) Indians live across Central and Eastern Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Their vocal music represents the more traditional way of experiencing music unaccompanied singing. Their instrumental music, especially played on the fiddle, reflects the influence of explorers, traders, and missionaries on musical tastes. The Gwich'in adopted not only the music that whites introduced but jigs, reels, and square dances. There are several instances as well of Gwich'in adapting Native dance forms to this Western style of music.
